305 DRUG SHOPS CLOSED OVER FAILURE TO SECURE NDA LICENCES IN SOUTH WESTERN UGANDA

By Aggrey Twesigye

www.mknewslink.com

In Mbarara—–

National Drugs Authority-NDA has closed 305 drug shops in south western Uganda over failure to secure annual licences.

The NDA a government agency that certifies the quality of drugs in Uganda closed both veterinary and human drugs shops.

Samuel Kyomukama, the head of enforcement at NDA told www.mknewslink.com that 678 boxes of counterfeit drugs of different kinds were also impounded and taken to NDA offices in Booma, Kamukuzi, Mbarara city.

He added that 288 boxes were impounded from one drug shop called Aslam Drug shop in Mpondwe trading center Kasese district adding that all the impounded drugs are worth Ugsh.204, 800,000.

Speaking to journalists today at NDA offices in Booma Mbarara city , Samuel said that the search took them 2 weeks in the 19 Districts of Kasese, Rubirizi, Bushenyi, Sheema, Rwampara, Isingiro,Mitooma, Ntungamo, Rukungiri,Kazo, Mbarara, Ibanda,Kamwenge ,Rubanda,  Kiruhura, Kitagwenda, Lyantonde , Rukiga , Kabale and Kanungu districts.

The motive of the patrols was to eliminate pharmacies, drug shops, clinics that operate without credentials awarded by NDA plus those selling expired and fake drugs, Samuel said.

Samuel further noted that Thaddeus Akankwasa was arrested and is now behind bars at Rukungiri Police Station after he was caught with government drugs in his clinic.

Dorothy Nareeba was also arrested in Ishaka and is now detained at Ishaka -Bushenyi Police Station on charges of disrupting NDA officials to their patrol.

Capt. JB Tumusiime Bamuturaki the Mbarara district boss is now appealing to drug shop owners to employee people with experience in treating people or they face arrests.

The patrols that started on the 9th.March.2021 ended on the 19th.march.2021.